Jentsch-Ullrich K, Kalinski T, Roessner A, Franke A, Mohren M
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Magdeburg University, Germany.
Chemotherapy. 2006;52(1):12-5. doi: 10.1159/000090235. Epub 2005 Dec 9.
Cancer of unknown primary site also designated as CUP syndrome usually presents as metastatic disease with a poor prognosis and low remission as well as survival rates.
We report a 46-year-old male with para-aortal and left-sided cervical lymph node metastases. Histological examination of a cervical lymph node revealed papillary carcinoma. Despite thorough investigation, no primary tumor was found. The patient was empirically treated with six courses of the FACP regimen (5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin) combined with radiotherapy (40 Gy) and has remained in complete remission for 124 months.
This case indicates that treatment of a patient with cancer of unknown primary site may be rewarded by a benign course. However, complete cure remains a very rare event in CUP. Remission can be achieved with a platinum-containing regimen combined with radiotherapy.
